General News
11 March, 2025
More soil samples needed
EPA Victoria says too many country gardeners are missing out on free soil screening from a government citizen science project that’s mapping soil conditions across the state.
The state’s environmental regulator says 2000 home gardeners have registered and sent in more than 5000 soil samples so far, but most have come from the metropolitan area.
In the Central Goldfields Shire, data suggests limited samples have been provided from Maryborough, Carisbrook and Talbot.
Victoria’s chief environmental scientist Prof Mark Patrick Taylor said it’s a free service for home gardeners that does science and the environment a favour.
“Register on the EPA Victoria website, send in three small samples and you’ll receive a scientific assessment of your soil condition and the trace elements it contains,” he said.
“It’s a free offer to home gardeners anywhere in Victoria, but we’re not seeing many samples from country areas so far.
“EPA’s scientists will add your soil data to a study that is mapping soil condition across the state. You’ll be helping scientific research and getting a detailed report on what’s feeding your garden.”
So far, approximately 80 percent of the 5800 individual samples screened have shown trace elements that are within recommended levels. EPA provides a scientific report, and if the soil is not up to scratch, EPA can give you some tips on ways to manage your garden.
“Any home gardener who sends in samples can have scientific results for the price of the postage and ensure your family is gardening in soil you can trust — we just need more country people to get involved,” Prof Taylor said.
Register or see more details on GardenSafe on the EPA Victoria website: epa.vic.gov.au/for-community/get-involved/citizen-science-program/gardensafe